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Justice and Mercy

June 26, 2009

I’m reading Plato’s Republic for an online class off of academic earth. In the book Socrates and his friends are challenging the old definitions of justice and looking for one that satisfies their reason. Everything else they talk about seems to branch off of this conversation about justice, the advantages/disadvantages of such, and what a just man looks like. While I enjoy reading Socrates I did not agree with all of the conclusions that he and his friends came too, and while I would of very much enjoyed having a discussion with Socrates on some of his ideas that is not the purpose of this post. I would like to talk about justice though.

When asked what law is most important Jesus famously answered with an answer that shows up in every religion, and every culture. To do unto others as you would have them do unto you. To judge others by the same standard that you wish to be judged by. I also believe that things normally work out this way. I’m not sure whether it is all in this world or the next, and I’m not sure how it works, but it is a point of faith for me, and its made me a more patient person.

When I started looking at justice this way, it made me really start getting conscious of my decisions on who was guilty, and than I started thinking that their are a lot of times when I would much prefer that I be judged with mercy. Through this point of view I started realizing that justice and mercy are not opposites, but in many situations, they are one and the same.

The biggest thing I’ve gotten out of this is that I had to ask myself when do I feel that I would deserve a punishment, and what punishment would that be. I than try to put myself in others shoes, and than judge accordingly. I know I’m not perfect at this, but I really do believe that one way or another I will be judged by the standard that I judge others. So justice will come through in the end.

Entry Filed under: life. .